Test Questions

Question 1

What is the relationship between Bowens Reaction Series and Weathering

Answer 1

Minerals at the top of the Bowen series crystallize under high temperatures and pressures, and chemically weather at a faster rate than minerals ranked at the bottom.
High temp. + pressure = rapid weathering
Low temp. + pressure + slower weathering, whatever doesn’t dissolve forms clay.

Question 2

Why are nitrogen fixing bacteria so important in soils.

Answer 2

The bacteria absorb nitrogen from the atmosphere then converted into nitrogen compounds. These compounds are absorbed by plants and used to make DNA amino acids and enzymes. That nitrogen is an essential component of production of proteins and DNA in biological life

Question 3

What are the special properties of water

Answer 3

Polarity 
Cohesion 
Adhesion 
Hydrogen Bonds
Universal solvent

Question 4

Define immature sandstones

Answer 4

Contain a mix of clay Martix’s and sand grains that are angular and poorly sorted.

Question 5

What is the geothermal gradient

Answer 5

The rate of temperature increase in accordance with depth

The average temperature rate in the upper 100km of the crust is 25C/Km

Question 6

What does the term porphyritic mean

Answer 6

An igneous rock with two distinctive crystal sizes. This is common in intrusive or extrusive rocks.

Question 7

What is a batholith

Answer 7

Used to describe a large mass or chain of many plutons and intrusive rocks. They are typically more than 100 km2 in area, associated with subduction zones, and mostly felsic in composition

Question 8

explain cross cutting relationships***** test questions

Answer 8

the Law of Crosscutting Relationships stated that if a fault or other body of rock cuts through another body of rock then it must be younger in age than the rock through which it cuts and displaces.

Question 9

Test questions**** How does heat and temperature effect metamorphism

Answer 9

The temperatures and pressures are much higher than on the earths surface. HOWEVER it does not cause melting or magma, thus the temperature and pressure are below the conditions that cause for melting. High Grade starts at 600 degrees C

Question 10

Test question** What state do metamorphic rocks remain in?

Answer 10

Solid, and metamorphic rocks change off the different protoliths they have or the different (Starting rocks)

Question 11

What are high grade metamorphic rocks** test question

Answer 11

Rocks that are formed under high temperature and high pressure

Question 12

Formation of cross bending **test question (sedimentary rocks)

Answer 12

direction of flow in water determines the direction of the Dip of Lee slope. Symmetrical ripples and asymmetrical ripples.

Question 13

Define foliation***possible test question

Answer 13

Foliation is a term used that describes minerals lined up in planes. Certain minerals, most notably the mica group, are mostly thin and planar by default. Foliated rocks typically appear as if the minerals are stacked like pages of a book, thus the use of the term ‘folia’, like a leaf

Question 14

Formation of cross bending **test question (sedimentary rocks)

Answer 14

direction of flow in water determines the direction of the Dip of Lee slope. Symmetrical ripples and asymmetrical ripples.

Question 15

Define foliation***possible test question

Answer 15

Foliation is a term used that describes minerals lined up in planes. Certain minerals, most notably the mica group, are mostly thin and planar by default. Foliated rocks typically appear as if the minerals are stacked like pages of a book, thus the use of the term ‘folia’, like a leaf

Question 16

How did alfred wagner influence plate tectonics

Answer 16

He introduced the concept of continental drift to the literature.

Question 17

what is wilsons cycle

Answer 17

The Wilson Cycle is named for J. Tuzo Wilson who first described it in 1966, and it outlines the ongoing origin and breakup of supercontinents, such as Pangea and Rodinia. Scientists have determined this cycle has been operating for at least three billion years and possibly earlier.

Question 18

What is the approximate velocity of the fastest-moving tectonic plates on Earth?

Answer 18

138-150 mm/y

Question 19

who is James Hutton and what did he do

Answer 19

Created Uniformitarianisim

Question 20

What is the approximate velocity of the fastest-moving tectonic plates on Earth?

Answer 20

138-150 mm/y

Question 21

define Pyroclastic Flow

Answer 21

is an avalanche of hot ash and pumice and rock fragments and volcanic gases, that cools and welds together after deposited on surfaces.